Scripture Reading: Luke 19:28-44, Psalm 118:25-29, Zechariah 9:9
The Old Testament is full of references to Jesus. Sometimes this is through subtle imagery. Sometimes it is through foreshadowing. And sometimes it is so obvious that it’s like God handing us the answer key. Zechariah 9:9 is just such a verse.
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem!
Look, your King is coming to you;
he is righteous and victorious,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
—Zechariah 9:9
When Jesus commanded his disciples to go find a colt and bring it to him—and to drop His name if any questions arose—He was acting like the king He was (albeit, not the king they expected). He was wielding authority and exhibiting His omniscience even as He was preparing to mount a humble steed. And this was just as Zechariah had prophesied. He then rode through worshipful crowds, not of victorious soldiers or admiring citizens but of humble worshippers gathered for a religious festival. They shouted praises truer than they even knew.
Blessed is the King who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest heaven!
—Luke 19:38
Luke says that they praised Him for miracles they had seen (Luke 19:37); they were enraptured by Jesus’s power and ability. They saw His goodness as a ruler. Every miracle displayed His power, His creative ability, and His authority over all the realms of creation. So they praised their coming King and the peace He would bring. They thought, however, that His kingdom would come through exerted power. Yet on that first Palm Sunday, as Jesus rode in with victory, the donkey should have been their clue His power would not be displayed as they thought.
The prophesied colt was a touch of heavenly irony, a humble steed to transport the greatest King to His upside-down victory. To ride that donkey winked at vestiges of earthly power as He fulfilled God’s long-ago words of salvation. He was a victorious King on His way to be judged by a corrupt king. Jesus’s victory would not be by conquering but by sacrifice. The peace He brought would be through reconciliation with God, not elimination of earthly empires. Before He could ascend to His eternal throne, He had to descend into death.
On that Palm Sunday, the words of the worshipers echoed off the Mount of Olives, and they were entirely true. Jesus was the King who came in the name of the Lord to bring peace. And He did so in humility, in servitude, and on the least likely of steeds. Because Jesus is not like any other king, nor is the peace He offers like any we can find elsewhere.
Written by Barnabas Piper
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57 thoughts on "Palm Sunday"
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Jesus, you know rejection far better than anyone who has ever lived. You have faced far worse betrayal than any I have ever known, and you CHOSE it, knowing what was to come. I never had to live enough to choose betrayal, but you did. And you have still stood with me in every betrayal I have ever faced, and you always will. I will never be alone, no matter how lonely I may feel.
Thank you for your prayers for me and David, sister Shes.
Correction: I have never had to LOVE enough to choose betrayal…
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Thank you Jesus that out of any way you could have come, you chose this one. Humble and riding on a donkey. You fulfilled the promises of long ago. You came, knowing the people praising you were the same people who would kill you and yet you still came. Oh what a savior! Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh Lord Jesus, what a way to come into the city. The concept we have of a magnificent king was turned on its head, how confused those people must have been. They had no idea you were preparing the way for the biggest comeback of all time, to cement your place as King of the world, even death couldn’t hold you but on Psalm Sunday, what was going through their heads and yours!?!
My other bible study on new testament in a year on youversion bible app lined up perfectly today even tho I was behind a day on the other study. I love how God does that!
Happy Palm Sunday ❤️
Happy Palm Sunday! Looking forward to Holy Week.
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I always enjoy reading your comments. Thank you, Tina!
Happy Palm Sunday!
This passage always hits me in the heart because it holds so much tension. There’s joy and worship as Jesus enters Jerusalem, and yet He’s weeping over the very people praising Him. It reminds me that He came fully knowing He’d be rejected…and He still came ❤️
Happy Palm Sunday! Such a joy to watch my daughter parading around the sanctuary with palm branches and singing with the choir “Little Gray Donkey!” I think it is so important to really take in each part of Holy Week. Blessings to you all this week as we read together!
Hosanna praise God!
Can’t wait for Holy Week!
Happy Palm Sunday! Have a glorious day She’s. Looking forward to Holy Week ❤️
Amen!! Amen!! Hosanna!! Hosanna!!
Yeah, I feel like Easter itself was lost for me. Christmas feels similar.
Amen!
HOSANNA! I’m adding the text from Matthew because I just think the word Hosanna is such a powerful, beautiful word of celebration and joy. The King is coming, our Savior has arrived. All praise and thanks be to our Mighty Savior, our Prince of Peace, the God who saves. Hosanna!✝️
‘A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matt 21:8-9
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Amen
Palm Sunday! A significant day where Jesus finally rides in as the King He is! Again, just like the study of Isaiah, there is juxtaposition everywhere. The King, on a donkey. The King, not recognized widely before, but now everyone praising Hosanna, laying clothes underneath his entrance. Have you seen a donkey? They are not exactly “cool” when you have a grown man on their back! It looks rather awkward, yet this is a KING coming into HIS city.
This Lent at jail ministry for the last 4 weeks we studied “Jesus’ Last Week.” It really gives you the chance to slow it down, to sit in the words that we can read through so quickly on Easter Sunday. The day of palm Sunday is the turn of events that speed up quickly. We will praise today, but know Friday is the torture of the Savior.
Just like the chosen people then, we know our Savior is coming. He will come differently this time. But his children will be raised up before then in the rapture or death and we return with him! Every eye will see! Oh Glorious Day! We can’t be sleeping…our lamp must be burning. For we don’t know the day or hour. We must be the disciples of today, sharing his love and his works. The miracle of God’s great love, for those who believe and have faith. Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest! He IS Worthy of our praise, today and every day!! May I celebrate with joy and peace and a great love in my heart, with passion and expectation, JoYoUS Restoration has come, will come!
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Palm Sunday Prayer
Lord Jesus,
On this day, You entered Jerusalem not with pride, but in humility —
riding on a donkey,
welcomed by shouts of praise from hearts that didn’t fully understand.
You are the King who brings peace,
not by force, but by love,
not by conquest, but through the cross.
Today, I welcome You again into my life.
I lay down the branches of pride, fear, and control —
and I ask You to take Your rightful place in my heart.
Help me not to be a part-time worshiper,
singing “Hosanna” one day and forgetting You the next.
Give me a faith that endures beyond emotion,
rooted in trust, even when the path leads to the cross.
As You wept over Jerusalem,
teach me to see the world through Your eyes —
to carry compassion, to seek peace,
and to recognize when You are near.
Hosanna.
Save me.
Change me.
Lead me.
And let my life reflect the hope of Your Kingdom,
today and always.
Amen.
Oh,yes Lord…AMEN!✝️
Thank you, Kimberly ❤️
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Yes, amen! Thank you, Kimberly. You have a gift of deep reflection and powerful words.
Amen!
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Kimberly… one of our messages today was about NOT being “part-time “ worshipers.
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I echo your thoughts.
Hosanna!!! You are my God,you are my king,my master,my everything!!!
Hosanna! ❤
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Song for today:
Hosanna – Hillsong Worship – With Lyrics
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Margaret, rejoicing with you in answered prayer and praying for peace and strength in the adjustment ahead! ❤
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Amen
Amen♥️
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Hosanna!❤️
“You are my God, and I will give you thanks.
You are my God; I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 118:28-29
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Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!
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Just curious – does your church 1) acknowledge this day 2) wave palms of some sort?
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MARGARET W – what wonderful news for you and David. Praying the transition goes smoothly and you both will have peace.
The methodist churches that I grew up in and attended until a few years ago acknowledged it and waved palms. They used to have the kids hold them and walk around the church as well. The church I attend now is non denominational so they acknowledge it but haven’t done the waving of the palms.
We have our children process into church waving palm branches and saying, “Hosanna.”
Good morning Kelly, my church is Presbyterian and we do acknowledge Palm Sunday. There are palms displayed throughout the sanctuary. Plans are given to the congregation as they enter the sanctuary. We do wave them during the service. It is very moving.
Have a blessed day
We honor Palm Sunday in our service, but not always with palms used. We are holding a special service tonight (something new) so we will see! ☺
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As kids our Sunday school used to March down the (quite busy) Main Street of our town waving palm
Yes, we celebrate Palm Sunday. The kids enter the sanctuary waving branches. Our sermon and song will be focused on Palm Sunday. :)
Yes, the focus will be Palm Sunday. Usually the children will come in with palms but not every year.
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And thank you for the very fitting Psalms scripture for today ❤️
We attended a Lutheran church for years… there was palm branch waving by the congregation, and the message and readings were Palm Sunday focused. We have been attending a Mennonite church for a few years, and while Palm Sunday was mentioned in a message today, it is not “celebrated”/recognized congregationally. There are no palm branches.
The King is coming!!
Blessed is the King who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest heaven!
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This, right here, is all I need to hear today!!
I need nothing else..
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For the King who comes in the name of the LORD, comes with me/us in mind.
He comes in the Peace of Heaven, and He comes to give me/us this peace, and to cover us/me in the Hope of a tomorrow blessed beyond, beyond..
To the Glory of GOD in the Highest Heaven.
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BUT GOD..
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AMEN..
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Happy Palm Sunday, Gods beloved daughters..
Much love, as always covered in prayers and hugs..❤️❤️❤️
❤ amen! Hugs, prayers, and love back to you, Tina!
Amen ❤️
I always enjoy reading your comments. Thank you, Tina!
Hosanna in the highest